What Happens if Tooth Resorption is Left Untreated?
Resorption is the act of the body absorbing or removing tissues from and ecosystem. In Dentistry it often refers to the process wherein, through trauma or infection, the body has identified a tooth structure as a harmful piece of the ecosystem. The process of removal then begins, with internal structures sapping away and breaking down healthy strong tissues from the tooth structure, leading to decay and loss. The short answer is, if you leave resorption untreated, you will lose teeth and suffer disease.
Symptoms of Tooth Resorption
Tooth Resorption has several distinct symptoms associated with it:
1. Pink or red hue to teeth
2. Unusual spacing of the teeth (Most likely due to external resorption)
3. Fragile teeth
4. Pain
5. Cavities and holes in the teeth, or dark spots
Diagnosing Resorption
Tooth resorption is often diagnosed after an x ray. At first signs of any of the symptoms above, you should call and move up your next dentist appointment. Get yourself checked out and investigate what is happening. Request a nice cleaning and hygiene appointment, and follow it up with fresh x rays. Then, your dentist and you can discuss whether or not resorption is occurring– and the level of severity. When reviewing the x ray, your dentist can ascertain whether the cavities within your teeth are areas of resorption, and proceed with treatment.
What happens if Treatment is not Performed on Tooth Resorption
If treatment is not performed, the tissues of the tooth will consume and decay the underlying structure. You will most likely lose the tooth, and then the infection and disease will enter the gumline, traveling to nearby tissues and attacking them. This can lead to larger tooth decay throughout the mouth, unsightly decay and black spots on the teeth, further tooth loss, further gum damage, and eventually TMJ and jaw disorders.
Treatment for Resorption
Treatment is usually adapted in order to save the tooth structure.
Tissue Treatment- Your dentist may perform a minimally invasive surgery to remove some unhealthy tissue from the tooth itself. If there is a small pocket of infection, resorption, or decay, they may be able to surgically remove it and allow the healthy structures to rebuild and reintegrate.
Root Canal- The most common treatment, a root canal involves entering the space of resorption and removing all of the unhealthy and decayed tissue from within. The dentist will then fill the space with compound that limit the bacteria; growth and proliferation of decay.
Tooth Extraction- In the final scenario, the damage is simply too far gone. The tooth itself is removed, and the same surgical attempts are made to remove tissue, in order to prevent the spread to the gumline or other teeth. After some time of recovery, attempts can be made to replace the tooth with something new and improved.
What to do next
Call your dentist and get yourself seen. A nice cleaning and examination can help kickstart treatment and reinvigorate your dental hygiene routine.